Our Gospel this morning comes from a section in Luke’s Gospel where Jesus gives instructions to the disciples regarding the judgment of God (12:1 - 13:9).  It follows the parable of the rich fool (12:16-21) that dealt with the temptation to be anxious about wealth and possessions.

The next teaching follows naturally upon the “do not be anxious” theme.  “Do not be afraid.”  Even though we mess up.  Even though we have been preoccupied with wealth, even hoarded wealth, and have not used it wisely; “it is God’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” freely.  So don’t be afraid, be diligent!  Do the right thing, be faithful to God’s calling and allow yourself to be challenged by the Way of the Christ.

Jesus said: 

³³  Sell your possessions, and give alms.  Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes to steal and no moth destroys. ³⁴ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Have you ever had something stolen from you, something that was a prized possession?  When I was in college I had my guitar stolen from me.  It was a good thing that it happened after my last guitar class that quarter.  The worst thing about it was the sense of violation.  It wasn’t the guitar.  Heaven help the person who is now stuck with it.  It was really the sense of violation that someone would take it – and they knew who it belonged to.  Sometimes when we lose possessions it’s really a good thing.  In Seminary I had my 750 Kawasaki stolen from the parking lot, in broad daylight…  It may have saved my life.  It made things a little bit complicated but, all in all, it may have been a good thing.

Our possessions, are they really that important to us?

What are the responsibilities that come with being given the kingdom of heaven?  We are called to make a significant change in our priorities: give up materialistic ways, to be more generous, and be constantly on guard for the return of Christ.  Add to these the other things we know about being a faithful Christian, like loving one’s enemies, turning one’s cheek, serving others, perhaps even giving your life for the sake of another; it makes the kingdom seem like a burdensome gift to receive.

Gifts are usually burdensome.  Have you ever been given a gift from a friend and you didn’t like the gift: ugly towels, figurines, wall hangings?  What will you do with them?  If they come to visit and the gift is not prominently displayed in your home, then what?  Sue, remind me, my sister is coming to visit later this week.  What did we do with those lime green towels?  Once I gave an anonymous gift to a friend, only to receive it back the next month for my birthday.  Now that’s the gift that keeps on being given!

If God has given you, one of God’s children, the kingdom, then all earthly items should pale in comparison.  But, really, is the gift that Jesus gave that easy to receive?  Is that the type of divine gift you were looking for when you first came to the church?  Some preachers try to twist these lessons until they lose their sting.  I would encourage you to allow yourself to be made uncomfortable by Jesus’ gift.  There is much to be learned here, and life’s wisdom to be explored. 

Our self-esteem, our value, is built up by the treasure of heaven, a lasting treasure.  This heavenly treasure can not be taken away by a declining stock market, or theft.   It seems to me that this lasting treasure has a name.  Isn’t it loving kindness, mercy, and walking humbly with God?  This is the true measure of a person’s value.  This is what you will be remembered for.  You will not be remembered for how much money you earned, or how hard you had to work for the money.  You won’t even be remembered for the nice gifts you gave.  You won’t be remembered for your possessions; they will all rust away.  Nor will you be remembered for your wise investments; for they will eventually be lost to inflation or wasted by descendents who won’t even remember your name.  Nor will you be remembered by the size of your home, nor by the status that society gave you; someone else will take over the position you so ably held.  Your direct descendents won’t even remember you.  Do you remember the name of your great, great, grandfather on your mother’s side?

The problem isn’t about how much you have or what you have accomplished, the problem is when we think we are of more value, or less value, because of what we possess or what we have accomplished.  Wealth and success are not a good measure of a person’s value.  So what is a good measure of a person’s value?  God values loving kindness, mercy, and when we choose to walk with God.  That’s what people are remembered for, well at least for a few generations.  Everyone else will forget, but God will always remember.

There is always a message of hope in these words from Jesus.  Yes, we have fallen short of the glory of God, and there is much loving to do.  But, no matter the difficulty we encounter in accepting the gift, the lasting value is the incomprehensible grace of God.  It is a love that is freely given to you, along with the joy that comes with it.

Thanks be to God.